Tuesday, February 22, 2011

The name game

We found out that we are expecting a little girl about a month ago.  Like many first time parents (or I suppose all expecting parents, regardless of how many children you already have) - we have spent a lot of time debating on names.  In the first few weeks, before we had told anyone that we were expecting, we spent a lot of time talking about names.  Most of that time was spent ruling out names. 

If our little one had turned out to be a boy, we had the middle name picked out (Alan, after both of our father's middle names).  We could not agree on a first name though (small problem that we would have worked out!).  We do have a girl name picked out, sans middle name.  And now we are in a constant debate over middle names...and still have not landed on one.

Meanwhile, I really do not want to "officially" name our daughter until she is born.  I have this strong belief that there are many people in the world who do not "look" like their name...probably because they were named before they were born!  Instead, I want to have a primary name picked out - but also want to be equipped with a back-up (or two).

One place that we have looked (but are trying to avoid all names on the list) is the top 100 list of baby names.  I specifically have tried to avoid the list of top 10.  When I was growing up, there were multiple Jessicas and Ashleys in my class.  I do not want our daugther to be "so-and-so H".  I want her name to be unique, spelled phoenetically, and also able to travel with her into adulthood. 

But you may be wondering - what were the top 10 names of 2010? 

For girls:
  1. Sophia
  2. Isabella
  3. Olivia
  4. Emma
  5. Chloe
  6. Ava
  7. Lily
  8. Madison
  9. Addison
  10. Abigail
For boys:
  1. Aiden
  2. Jacob
  3. Jackson
  4. Ethan
  5. Jayden
  6. Noah
  7. Logan
  8. Caden
  9. Lucas
  10. Liam
Small, random fact:  Jacob was the #1 baby name for 10 years running until 2010.  I learned that while watching a game show on TV!

Note: The entire top 100 can be found at many places online, I found this list on BabyCenter.com. 

Is anyone else out there struggling to find the perfect baby name?  If we could determine a middle name, I would be thrilled.  I also am still searching for the perfect "back-up" name.  I will probably never find it - because if it were perfect it would be our first choice name! 

In the meantime, Madeline is the current second-runner.  I do not love it, but it will work for now.  I'm not sharing our first choice name with many people until it is a full name (first and middle).  And, I'll continue to send the hubby at least 1-2 text messages a day with potential names.  He has begun to ignore me unless he likes it.  :)

Good luck to any other expectant parents who are debating names too! 

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